Attempted Murder Charges Added to SLO Torture Case
A San Luis Obispo man now faces additional charges of attempted murder following an incident at his home on Jeffrey Street Monday night.
Timothy John Hayes, 33, was already charged with torture, criminal threats, domestic battery, false imprisonment and assault with a deadly weapon. In a Wednesday news release, San Luis Obispo police indicated the attempted murder charge would be added when the case is forward to the county District Attorney.
Police responded around 11:30 Monday night to a call to help an assault victim inside the Chevron station at 151 Santa Rosa. A woman was found hiding inside after officers arrived.
The 27-year old woman had significant injuries covering her entire body, including burn marks, lacerations, scratches, bruising and extreme swelling. She also had tape tangled in her hair.
The woman told police Hayes assaulted her for at least two hours using a knife, scissors and pool cue-stick. She was burned with kitchen utensils before she was able to escape out the front door.
After interviewing the victim, officers drove to Hayes’ home and arrested him. Police said based on Hayes’ symptoms and demeanor, he may have been under the influence of a controlled substance at the time.
A search warrant found evidence backing up the woman’s story of torture and detention. Officers also found and removed a .22 caliber handgun and a high power rifle from the home.
The woman told officers she met Hayes a few days ago and had started dating him. Investigators were not able to determine if an argument preceded the alleged assault.
“Something obviously happened inside the residence that made him snap,” said SLO Police Lt. John Bledsoe. “She was so emotionally distraught at the time and physically beaten that we don’t have a clear answer as to why,” he said.
The woman was released from the hospital Tuesday and is recovering from her injuries.
Hayes was booked into the San Luis Obispo County jail with bail set at $1 million.
